Brief Summary of Bill

Prohibits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from entering into a new, or renewing or extending an existing, lease or use authorization that involves marine finfish aquaculture of Atlantic salmon or other nonnative finfish.
Generally prohibits the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and the Department of Ecology (ECY), under its water pollution control authority, from authorizing or permitting a new activity that involves marine finfish aquaculture of Atlantic salmon or other nonnative finfish.
Amends several specific regulatory statutes to prohibit agencies from authorizing or permitting a new activity that involves marine finfish aquaculture of Atlantic salmon or other nonnative finfish.
Directs ECY, DNR, and DFW to update existing guidance and resources on planning for and permitting commercial marine net pen aquaculture.

Background: Leases and Use Authorizations for State-Owned Aquatic Lands. The Legislature has designated the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as the manager of state-owned aquatic lands. In managing these lands, DNR must support a balance of statutory goals including encouraging public access, fostering water-dependent uses, utilizing renewable resources, protecting the environment, and generating revenue.

DNR has general leasing authority for aquatic lands. The Legislature has directed DNR, however, to favor water-dependent uses. A water dependent use is a use that cannot logically exist in any location but on water. Aquaculture leases may be for up to 30 years in length.

State Permitting and Authorization for Commercial Marine Finfish Aquaculture. In addition to federal and local permits, state agencies administer several permits and authorizations that apply to commercial marine finfish aquaculture activities. These include, among others:

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits administered by ECY to regulate pollution discharges;
Marine Finfish Aquaculture permits administered by DFW, which also require an approved escape prevention, reporting, and recapture plan; and
Fish Transport permits administered by DFW to protect aquaculture products and native finfish from disease.

Summary of Bill: Aquatic lands use authorization. DNR may not enter into a new lease or other use authorization that involves marine finfish aquaculture of Atlantic salmon or other nonnative finfish. Additionally, DNR may not renew or extend an existing lease or use authorization that involves those same activities.

State issued permits. Certain agencies and permitting programs are prohibited from issuing authorization or permits for new activities that involve the marine finfish aquaculture of Atlantic salmon or other nonnative finfish. This prohibition covers authorization or permits issued:

by DFW, generally;
by ECY under its water pollution control authority generally, and specifically for waste discharges from marine finfish rearing facilities;
under statutes regulating aquatic farm disease inspection and control, specifically;
under statutes governing marine finfish aquaculture escapement prevention, management planning, and recapture administered by DFW, specifically; and
for fish and wildlife possession and transportation administered by DFW, specifically.

Other provisions. ECY, DNR, and DFW must update current guidance and informational resources on commercial marine net pen aquaculture designed to assist industry and government agencies in planning and permitting these activities. This project must be completed by June 30, 2019. In doing so, the agencies must:

utilize new scientific information that has emerged since existing guidance was developed;
address topics including local shoreline permitting, water quality, impacts on native species, and interagency coordination in permitting, inspections, and enforcement; and
design the guidance to eliminate escapements and negative impacts to water quality and native populations.

Separation from employment as a result of this bill is specifically listed as a qualifying event to make someone a dislocated worker for purposes of the Training Benefits Program. This program, administered by the Employment Security Department, provides extended unemployment benefits while a person participates in approved training for another career.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The state has obligations to tribes that are the supreme law of the land, and should not risk is resources for this practice. Net pen aquaculture presents sea lice issues in Canada, and it is appropriate to question whether it can happen elsewhere. The fish escapement is a wake up call, although not a surprise since it has happened before. If they get established in Puget Sound, they will be difficult to remove. Net pens also pose water quality and marine debris issues. The loss of 80 jobs is an issue, but many more than that have historically made a living from commercial fisheries.

CON: Aquaculture is a very valuable way to produce fish, and a necessary industry to meet fish consumption needs. The idea that net pens are disease incubators is untrue and they do not pose a significant environmental threat. Atlantic salmon raised in net pens have advantages since they do not interbreed with Pacific salmon. The Legislature should use a more collaborative approach than is presented in this bill. The bill will eliminate rural jobs, and this company has been a good neighbor to the community. It is also a supporter of a clean environment, as the industry itself relies on clean water.

OTHER: The agencies would like to work with the Legislature to determine what is a "new activity" covered under the bill, and whether they can update current permits.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Bob Lake, Willapa Bay Regional, Fisheries Enhancement Group, Willapa Bay Gillnetters; Jay Julius, Lummi Nation Chairman; Kurt Beardsly, Wild Fish Conservancy; Bruce Wishart, Sierra Club; Neil Beaver, Audubon; Sophia Ressler, Puget Soundkeeper; Bryce Yadon, Futurewise; Ray Honea, Vice President, Puget Sound Harvest Association; Bob Lake, commercial fisherman; David Harsila, commercial fisherman; Evan Cornwall-Brady, commercial fisherman; Matt Marinkovich, commercial fisherman; Troy Olsen, member, Lummi Nation. CON: Troy Nichols, Cooke Aquaculture; Joel Richardson, Cooke Aquaculture; Innes Weir, Cooke Aquaculture; Tom Glaspie, Cooke Aquaculture; Randy Hodgin, Cooke Aquaculture; Brett Raemer, Cooke Aquaculture; Stephanie Ross, citizen; Hugh Mitchell, private veterinarian; Jack Field, Washington Fish Growers Association; John Dentler, Troutlodge; Dan Swecker, Washington Fish Growers Association. OTHER: Rich Doenges, Department of Ecology; Amy Windrope, Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.